REAL MADRID
Ancelotti slams Real Madrid players after Copa del Rey comeback against Villarreal
Ancelotti slams Real Madrid players after Copa del Rey comeback against Villarreal
Real Madrid manageer, Carlo Ancelotti ordered his Real players to “wake up” before his team came from two goals down to beat Villarreal 3-2 in the Copa del Rey.
Madrid were beaten 3-1 by rivals Barcelona in Sunday’s Supercopa de Espana final and they looked to be on their way out of the Copa del Rey on Thursday when they went into half-time 2-0 down.
Etienne Capoue and Samuel Chukwueze gave Villarreal in control, yet Vinicius Junior halved the deficit and Madrid were level when Eder Militao prodded home after Filip Jorgensen could only parry Karim Benzema’s header into the center-back’s path.
Having started just three LaLiga games this season, Dani Ceballos seized upon his opportunity to complete a stunning turnaround to send Madrid into the quarter-finals.
After such a poor first-half display, Ancelotti revealed his furious reaction to his players at half-time provoked the much-improved second-half performance.
“I was really angry at half-time,” Ancelotti told reporters. ” I decided to take a risk and press high up.
“We weren’t being forceful enough in our duels and I told them to wake up, there was still time to come back. They definitely woke up. It wasn’t a good first half and we can’t be playing like that.
“In the second period, it was an incredible reaction, as it always is. This club never gives up but we can’t wait until near the end of the game to react.
“The team showed great personality to turn things around. The second half is fantastic for our confidence. We didn’t give up.”
Ceballos was Madrid’s unlikely hero as he popped up to fire in from Marco Asensio’s perfectly weighted pass.
Ancelotti felt that combination was one of the keys to victory, saying: “Ceballos and Asensio have changed the dynamics of the match because they put in more quality and energy, they were decisive in turning the result around.”
(Video) Watch: Real Madrid vs Las Palmas 2-0 Highlights & All Goals 2023
Real Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Las Palmas on Wednesday to overtake Barcelona and move second, but Catalan minnows Girona are the surprise La Liga leaders after after a 2-1 win at Villarreal.
Barcelona started the week top of the league but a 2-2 draw at Real Mallorca on Tuesday left the door open for their rivals to overtake them.
Madrid produced a comfortable victory with goals from Brahim Diaz and Joselu, while Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior also made his return from injury as a second half substitute, following a month out.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti rested Jude Bellingham, who has been Madrid’s best player so far, starting Diaz in attacking midfield in the England international’s stead.
https://youtu.be/ifvmPbj7MP4?si=mcjlVShA_aF0DT9O
Surprise League leaders Girona came from behind to beat Villarreal, with on-loan Barcelona defender Eric Garcia netting the winner.
Real Madrid visit Montilivi on Saturday in a mouthwatering clash between the top two, while Barcelona host Sevilla Friday.
(Video) Watch: Girona vs Real Madrid 4-2 Hіghlіghts & All Goals 2023 HD
Girona striker Taty Castellanos hit an incredible four goals as his side thrashed champions Real Madrid 4-2 in La Liga on Tuesday, helping leaders Barcelona edge closer to the trophy.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid are 11 points behind Barcelona having played one extra match, with this defeat virtually killing any hope they had remaining of defending the title.
Castellanos was left in tears after missing a big chance against Barcelona earlier in April as Girona drew, but made amends in spectacular fashion at Montilivi against Madrid.
The Argentine striker, on loan at Girona from New York City FC — owned by the City group — exposed gaps in Madrid’s defence ahead of their Champions League semi-final tie against Manchester City in May.
Ancelotti had said his team needed to stay in a positive winning dynamic in the league to stay at the top of their game in Europe, but badly took their eye off the ball in Girona.
The Italian was hampered by striker Karim Benzema taking a knock in the win over Celta Vigo at the weekend, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did not travel because of a stomach problem among other absentees.
Former Madrid defender Miguel Gutierrez set up the opening goal with a cross for Castellanos, which he headed home from six yards out after 12 minutes.
Rodrygo might have equalised for Madrid but badly mishit his shot after the electric Vinicius Junior set him up following a mazy dribble.
Castellanos doubled Girona’s lead after 24 minutes when he got in behind Eder Militao and blasted through Andriy Lunin’s legs.
The lively Viktor Tsygankov could have made it three but hammered wildly over when two Madrid defenders collided and gave him a sight of goal from the edge of the box.
Vinicius pulled one back for Real Madrid with a header from Marco Asensio’s fine inswinging cross, giving them hope of a second half comeback.
However Castellanos netted his third just 36 seconds after the interval after a fine run and cross from Yan Couto.
The striker pounced again after 62 minutes, again capitalising on a Militao mistake to net his and Girona’s fourth.
It brought to mind Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski netting four against Madrid for Borussia Dortmund in 2013 in the Champions League.
Militao, who has been one of the league’s best defenders this season, will hope to move on quickly from a painful evening.
Lucas Vazquez pulled another back for Madrid late on after more good work by Vinicius, but it was too little, too late.
(Video) Watch: Rodrygo embarass chalobah to score the opener for Real Madrid
Chalobah misses the ball down the wing and Rodrygo is all alone near the byline as he enters the Chelsea box. He crosses for Benzema but the Frenchman can’t get on the end of the chance.
The ball falls to Vinicius Jr. He smartly returns it to Rodrygo who passes it into the back of the net! Is that game over for Chelsea?
GOAL | Chelsea 0-1 Real Madrid | Rodrygopic.twitter.com/p4SBqQmEoJ
— VAR Tático (@vartatico) April 18, 2023
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